A tomb in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, a lush green garden dotted with 120 varieties of roses, exquisite plants and trees, a picturesque sunset and an exciting riverfront ? the Gandhi Ghat package is good enough to entice you to break free from crowded Calcutta and set off for Barrackpore, around 30 km from the heart of the city.

Built in 1948 (the year the father of the nation died), the monument on the banks of the river Hooghly and the sprawling garden, Jawahar Kunj ? maintained by the state forest department ? can offer a day?s respite to city-dwellers, reeling under Durga Puja pressure.

The breeze from the river and the shades of banyan, krishnachuda, akashmoni, ashok, neem and other trees create a perfect setting for idling on an autumn afternoon, with birds chirping cheerily in the background. Swimmers can have a splash in the water as well.

Leave the greens behind as the sun heads westward. The riverfront is a perfect photzo-op, with the sun setting over Bengal?s once glorious industrial history. The jute mills, dating back to the Raj, on either side of the river, may have long shut down, but the chimneys still stand tall to tell the tale.

Gandhi Ghat is still one of the most important spots on the North-24 Parganas map. Thrice a year ? August 15, January 26 and October 2 ? the Governor hoists the Tricolour at this location.

History apart, horticulture is the biggest attraction here. Tickets are Rs 5 per head, while picnickers cough up Rs 100 to book a kitchen. The nurseries produce a dazzling array of roses ? boasting over 120 varieties ? and a host of other species, ranging from daliah to chandramallika, which find pride of place at Raj Bhavan and Eden Gardens.

Families planning a picnic with kids, friends in search of a venue for their all-day adda session, elderly folk interested in a calm and quiet day out, the spacious spot would melt just about every mood.

Besides Gandhi Ghat, there are a few other attractions in the area that include Mangal Pandey Garden, off Barrack Road, and Rani Rashmoni temple, near Brahmasthan (Bada Mastan for residents).

How to go there

Forty minutes by train from Sealdah (on the main line). Get off at Barrackpore station and take a rickshaw or book an auto-rickshaw

Barrackpore-bound buses (L20, 78, S32) from Shyambazar, get off at Talpukur or B.T. Bose stop and take a rickshaw

An hour?s drive (in usual traffic) from Shyambazar through B.T. Road, before Barrackpore Chiriamore

Where to stop

Call Malancha (Phone no: 2592 0058), run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation, if you need to park yourself somewhere and freshen up. You can spot-book, too, and food is available on request